What are your Onsite Dining Favorites?

[phyllisnnj]

It just occurred to me that we've been throwing names at you, but not really saying much about the restaurant or where it's located. Many of us have been there so many times that we know Universal as well as you know WDW, & sometimes take for granted that others know exactly what we're talking about. If you need additional info about anything, feel free to ask away.

Thanks

There is some much more information available on Disney World Dining from various guidebooks and websites (especially on the disboards, allearsnet and the passporter guidebook). I'm a little surprised by the lack of dining reviews available for Universal Orlando.

I have the Universal Orlando 2007 Guidebook by Kelly Monaghan which is very helpful. I've looked at the menus available on Allearsnet. I've also found some very helpful reviews on this forum. I posted the ones I found here (hopefully it will be helpful to others).

 

[bubba's mom]

Yes, we UO peeps slack when it comes to reviews on eating.....but, there really isn't any bad place in UO to eat. Most will stay away from Mel's and Internation Food Festival in the Studios adn Circus McGurkus in Islands....altho there ARE people who like to eat there...(when I was doing my research as a UO newbie, those were the 3 places I kept reading that were places to avoid--I've never tried 'em (yet) as I'm still working my way around other places first!) ALL the resorts' restaurants are very good to eat at, and I've never heard anything bad about the food....the service sometimes is something to be desired, but i've never heard anyone say to stay away from any of the resorts' dining.
Read Kelly's book..it's pretty much on the money....



....and we're sorry for slacking!

 

[sha_lyn]

Yes, we UO peeps slack when it comes to reviews on eating.....but, there really isn't any bad place in UO to eat. Most will stay away from Mel's and Internation Food Festival in the Studios adn Circus McGurkus in Islands....

We love international food and film festival, but we hate Monster Cafe (which usually get better reviews than IFAFF).

 

[bubba's mom]

We love international food and film festival, but we hate Monster Cafe (which usually get better reviews than IFAFF).

oh yeah....that was another one that kept coming up......

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Dining reviews can be a problem here. I started mine from our last trip, & quickly abandoned the idea. People don't seem to like it, if you don't love every restaurant. Admittedly, we place a high premium on food. Some would call us foodies, but I hate that word. It sounds a bit pretentious to me, & we're definitely not pretentious. Anyway, I doubt I'll be writing any more dining reviews, & I love the UO forums. I wish more people would feel free to write them though. I love reading dining reviews.

 

[bubba's mom]

i took pictures and wrote "mini" reviews in my TR......

 

[macraven]

i have to say, i have rarely had bad food at universal.

my tastes changes time to time but there are some places i never get tired of.

i always eat at finnegans a couple of times. never had a bad meal there and it is very affordable.
fire eaters grill is great but has been closed the last 2 years i have been there.
enchanted oak has great ribs, chicken dinners. the inside is a nice set up. i always hit this place.
mythos is always a winner for me. the menu has changed some but it's always good food there and great service.

i like international film and food festival for the fried chicken dinners. one of the chinese choices is good also.
i have always loved la bamba for the ribs. it was closed last year when i went and i was told it might be permenant. in the 07 entertainment book, there is a coupon for 20% off for la bamba so maybe it reopened since i was there last october.
captain quints for fish and chicken is very good.
for burgers, i live captain america.
circus mcgurkus is a fave also on some of the items there.

i know i am over looking some of the places. my mind is rushing and i can't remember them all at the moment.

gee, i think i have eaten at every joint that is in the parks. when i go in october this year, i'll do a food write up.

even though i have been to the hard rock cafe in chgo in the past, i still enjoy the one outside the park. margaritaville is another winner.
nba city is great also, never had bad food there.

some years i only spend 3 night stays at universal. when i do that, i usually only hit the resturants in city walk for 2 meals. when i stay 6 days, i hit about 4 of the places in city walk.

now i am getting hungry........

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I would say don't miss Mythos--even if you go for lunch.
We liked Lombard's Landing and Finnegans okay. For counter service definately the Oak Tree Tavern (is that what it's called?)- the food is good but the detail inside the tree is the coolest part.

We generally did lunch in the parks and dinner on our way out since the parks closed early.

We enjoyed Bubba Gumps (best food we had in City Walk--even though we don't eat seafood.) Also liked Margaritaville for atmosphere. The Hard Rock Cafe is always fine--but nothing special if you've been before.

 

[bubba's mom]

For counter service definately the Oak Tree Tavern (is that what it's called?)- the food is good but the detail inside the tree is the coolest part.

You're close.....Enchanted Oak Tavern

 

[macraven]

bubba gump was not opened when i last went.


i heard it was good.

 

[bubba's mom]

bubba gump was not opened when i last went.


i heard it was good.

i was....i posted some pix in my TR (you DID read my TR, right?) everyone in our party (of 13) enjoyed what they had......it was MY choice to go there and I don't even eat seafood.... was very good!

 

[macraven]

oops.....forgot.......

 

[bubba's mom]

oops.....forgot.......

you didn't read my tr???? nah, j/k

 

[Dismom+two]

Margaritaville has my vote!!

Nascar Cafe was pretty cool if your into the racing thing. I thought the food was exceptable!

 

[HopperFan]

In IOA our must do is Enchanted Oak.

In US, we have yet to find a must do.....

 

[Fan2CSkr]

My must do's are.
Mythos
Mama Della's
Tchoup Chop
Finnegans
Island Dining Room for breakfast

Margaritaville has been on that list for years for us. The last two times we ate there is was just OK. Last week it all out sucked. They ditched the chocolate cake that was a heavy favorite so that swayed my vote. My kids still will want to eat there cause its fun. New menus with some new selections but honestly the only thing I liked was my mango margarita.